Turkey prepares for rising heat as 'heat bubble' establishes itself
**Extreme Heatwave Grips Turkey, Causing Soaring Temperatures and Health Concerns**
A severe heatwave, referred to as a "heat dome," is currently sweeping across Turkey, affecting major cities such as Istanbul. The high-pressure system is trapping hot air, causing temperatures to soar and pushing them up to 4 to 6 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms.
The heatwave began around July 5 and is expected to last approximately nine days. In Istanbul, daytime highs are forecast to reach 35°C on July 6, 37°C on July 7, and potentially higher in the following week. Some western provinces, especially in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, could see temperatures as high as 50°C under direct sunlight.
The western cities of İzmir, Aydın, and Manisa may experience even more extreme temperatures, with shade temperatures of 45°C and direct sunlight exceeding 50°C. In contrast, rare July snowfall has been reported in high-altitude areas of Rize, Trabzon, and Erzurum due to cold air masses affecting northeastern Anatolia.
Authorities and experts have emphasized several vital precautions. They advise avoiding direct sunlight between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., engaging in outdoor activities either early morning or late evening, drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily to prevent dehydration, staying in cool, shaded, or air-conditioned places, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate the body.
The high temperatures and dry conditions maintain a high wildfire risk, especially in western Turkey. Though winds have complicated firefighting efforts, a forecasted shift blowing from the sea may ease wildfire spread but increase heatstroke dangers. The Turkish government and environmental ministries have issued warnings and calls for responsible behavior to protect health and forests during this critical period.
Experts like Meteorological Engineer Adil Tek advocate for officially recognizing heatwaves as natural disasters due to their severe public health threats. Tek highlights the dangerous combination of heat and humidity, measured by the "wet bulb temperature," noting that readings above 31°C are potentially lethal. He calls for a cultural and policy shift in Turkey to better manage and adapt to such extreme heat events amid climate change.
This heatwave underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to reduce health risks and manage environmental impacts as climate change intensifies such extreme weather events in Turkey. The Turkish State Meteorological Service has issued warnings for rising heat, and the Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry has called on the public to exercise caution against elevated wildfire and health risks.
- The current extreme heatwave, known as a "heat dome," affecting Turkey could be a significant indicator of the impact of climate change on environmental-science and weather patterns.
- As experts urge a cultural and policy shift to better manage extreme heat events in Turkey, understanding and addressing climate-change-induced changes in weather patterns, such as heatwaves, has become an essential component of environmental-science.
